Rep. Pete King (R-Nassau) called it a bipartisan disgrace. “This is a clear breach of faith by the government,” he said. “This is the same as leaving people on the battlefield.”

Even if the House passes a bill, the Senate has barely started.

“We have an undeniable moral obligation,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is sponsoring the Senate bill. “I am optimistic that with President Obama in the White House and a Democratic Congress we can … act.”

After eight years, 9/11’s heroes are left with little more than thank-you notes – and pain.

“The only gift I’ve received was the gift of cancer,” said former FDNY firefighter Kenny Specht, who battled the disease in his thyroid. “I don’t need a letter thanking me for my gift.”

New Yorkers want something more tangible.

“My son is dying,” said Stephen Grossman after visiting his son, Robert, 41, in the hospital where the ex-cop is losing a battle to cancer. “Whatever passes through Congress will be too late for him. I hope it’s not too late for other people.”